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Jacksonville's first World of Beer opens

World of Beer is now open at 9700 Deer Lake Court.

World of Beer opens today in Jacksonville’s Tinseltown area.

The bar, at 9700 Deer Lake Court, is the first in Northeast Florida for the Tampa-based upscale beer bar chain. The location, a former Starbucks, is near other beer-focused restaurants Mellow Mushroom and Miller's Jacksonville Ale House.

The six-year-old World of Beer –which boasts 42locations, including 24 in Florida –typically offers 35 or more beers on draft and up to 500 more in bottles, including selections from local craft brewers. In Jacksonville, look for 50 beers on tap, including at least two each from local brewers Engine 15, Pinglehead, Intuition, Green Room and Bold City.

Unlike other World of Beer locations, the Jacksonville bar is the chain’s first to offer the new Tavern Fare menu – soft pretzels, flatbreads and brats – designed to complement its craft beer offerings. According to a news release, much of the menu’s recipes include craft beer.

The beer bar prides itself on its knowledgeable employees — and their ability to help raise the beer IQs of its customers. Earlier this month, World of Beer held a two-week “Beer School” for new employees and even spent some time at Intuition Ale Works in preparation for today’s opening.

In addition to craft brews, the 3,200-square-foot World of Beer emphasizes entertainment, offering high-definition TVs for live sporting events and live music on select evenings. The location also features an 800-square-foot covered outdoor bar.